Gareth McAuley insists he and fellow centre half Jonny Evans will be in good shape to face Germany tomorrow night after being virtual spectators for the second half against San Marino at Windsor Park.

The West Brom and Northern Ireland defensive duo were never roubled by a San Marino side who hadn't scored a World Cup qualifying goal in 34 games, but there was still some concern over recovery with the match against world champions Germany, coming just three days later, expected to be an exhausting affair.

"Jonny and I weren't stretched," 35-year-old McAuley admitted, but after a stroll in the park accepts he is in for a dificult night in Hannover.

The Larne native added: "We know only too well how much quality the Germans have after coming up against them in France. We need to cut out the problems they were causing us and then still have that little bit of luck. All the players in our team are going to have a tough and demanding night, but hopefully we get a positive result."

The official opening of the National Stadium this evening Pat Jennings & Mary Peters pictured
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Pat Jennings at the official opening of the Northern Ireland National Stadium.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's /ni and San Marinos /sm during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's /ni and San Marinos /sm during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's /ni and San Marinos /sm during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's /ni and San Marinos /sm during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's /ni and San Marinos /sm during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's /ni and San Marinos /sm during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup qualifier Group C
The official opening of the National Stadium this evening with a lap of former Northern Ireland legends.
Jimmy Nesbitt pictured
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup qualifier Group C
The official opening of the National Stadium this evening with a lap of former Northern Ireland legends.
Jimmy Nesbitt pictured
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup qualifier Group C
The official opening of the National Stadium this evening Pat Jennings pictured
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup qualifier Group C
The official opening of the National Stadium this evening with a lap of former Northern Ireland legends.
Jimmy Nesbitt pictured
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup qualifier Group C
The official opening of the National Stadium this evening with a lap of former Northern Ireland legends.
Jimmy Nesbitt pictured
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th October 2016 - The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park Opening Game and Ceremony
Northern Ireland vs San Marino 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
General view of the plaque at the official opening ceremony.
Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th October
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier - Northern Ireland Vs San Marino at The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast
Northern Ireland's in the new kopstand
Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
Northern Ireland’s Jonny Evans and San Marino’s Matteo Coppini during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Mark Marlow/Pacemaker Press

Northern Ireland's Steve Davis scores a penalty during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Stuart Dallas and San Marinos Aldo Simoncini during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Stuart Dallas can't beleived he missed an open net during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's fans enjoy the half-time entertainment during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's fans enjoy the half-time entertainment during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Conor Washington gets a shot away during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Jamie Ward and San Marinos Matteo Vitaioli during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Conor Washington and looks to the heavens after missing a chance during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
Northern Ireland Manager Michael O'Neill speaks to Oliver Norwood during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
San Marinos Mirko Paiazzi is sent off during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 08th October 2016 - Photo by William Cherry
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis scoring a penalty against San Marino during Saturday nights World Cup 2018 Qualifier at the National Stadium at Windsor Park.

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
San Marinos Mirko Paiazzi is sent off during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th October 2016 - The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park Opening Game and Ceremony
Northern Ireland vs San Marino 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
First Minister Arlene Foster and Communities Minister Paul Givan celebrate the first goal at the game.
Photo by William Cherry / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 08th October 2016 - Photo by William Cherry
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis scoring a penalty against San Marino during Saturday nights World Cup 2018 Qualifier at the National Stadium at Windsor Park.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 08th October 2016 - Photo by William Cherry
To mark the official opening of the National Stadium at Windsor Park, some famous Northern Ireland faces from sport, tv and music to do a lap of the pitch before Northern Ireland took on San Marino in the World Cup 2018 Qualifier. Pictured with the fans is Denis Taylor

Picture - Kevin Scott / Press Eye
San Marino's Mirko Palazzi sent off in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier and opening game at the newly developed National Stadium - Windsor Park on 8th October 2016 , Belfast , Northern Ireland
Photo by Kevin Scott / Press Eye

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
Northern Ireland’s Gareth McCauley and San Marino’s Mattia Stefanelli during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Mark Marlow/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
Northern Ireland’s Conor McLaughlin and Oliver Norwood with Luca Tosi of San Marino during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Mark Marlow/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
Northern Ireland’s Stuart Dallas and San Marino’s Matteo Vitaioli during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Mark Marlow/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
Northern Ireland’s Stuart Dallas and San Marino’s Matteo Vitaioli during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Mark Marlow/Pacemaker Press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/10/2016
Northern Ireland v San Marino World Cup Qualifier Group C
Northern Ireland’s Jamie Ward and Alessandro Della Valle of San Marino during this evenings game at the National Stadium in Belfast.
Photo Mark Marlow/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Conor Washington and San Marinos Alessandro Della Valle during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Jamie Ward scores during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

Pacemaker Belfast 8-10-16
Northern Ireland v San Marino - World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland's Jamie Ward celebrates his goal during this evenings game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

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